Explore Tekieh Moaven-ol-molk When You Travel To Iran

Tekieh Moaven-ol-Molk was built on the orders of Hossein Khan Moeen al-Roa'aya, who was a successful businessman in Kermanshah bazaar. It was meant to be a husseiniya when built in 1897 but was devastated by the enemies of the businessman in 1909. Hassan Khan Moaven al-Molk later renovated the place in 1912.

A zainabiyeh and an abbasiyeh were added to the already existing tekieh. The structure was again ruined during the Iran-Iraq war but renovated soon after that. The beauty of the structure lies in the attractive mosaic and tile works with religious stories and mythical figures depicted on them. Various historical, religious and political leaders have been depicted in this place.

Three Sections

When you travel to Iran, you can see that Tekieh Moaven-ol-Molk consists of three parts and is located much below the street level close to bazaar area. Seventeen steep steps lead down from the street to the building. There is a sagha-khaneh near the steps where water is offered to the visitors. Husseiniya is the first part of the tekieh and is a courtyard enclosed within two-storey chambers.

The zainabiyeh is the second part and consists of a domed chamber. There are two stories with rooms just below the dome. The second floor is intended for women to sit and participate in mourning ceremonies.

The abbasiyeh is the third and the largest part and is a large courtyard in the interior. It has an iwan on its southern side and a two-storey structure on the east.

Tile Work Everywhere

There is beautiful tile work on all parts of Tekieh Moaven-ol-Molk. Turquoise tiles line the round arches of the husseiniya with religious stories embellishing the space between the tile bands and the arches. While renovation was in process, mirror work and stucco could be seen beneath the rubble. Zainabiyeh has the dome with a polygonal space under it. The tile work here is on the eighteen plaques covering the walls.

There are colorful windows and 8 more plaques at the higher levels of the walls. The base of the dome merges with the walls through muqarnas squinches. There is also a wooden minbar in this area. The iwan inside the abbsiyeh is supported on four thick columns. Blue tiles along with brick work line the iwan. You can see floral patterns on the polychrome tiles of this structure. When you travel to Iran, andplan to visit Kermanshah, this site could help you understand a lot about Shiism and how mourning ceremonies of Imam Hossein is held in such buildings.